Apparatus for changing vertical mill rolls



Dec. 26, 1950 R. A. BURKHART 2,535,893

APPARATUS F OR CHANGING VERTICAL MILL ROLLS Filed OCT. 10, 1944 5Sheets-Sheet l [7209221022- EflYMO/Vfl 4. 5060/4971 Patented Dec. 26,1950 APPARATUS FOR CHANGING VERTICAL MILL ROLLS Raymond A. Burkhart,Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation, acorporation of New Jersey Application October 10, 1944, Serial No.558,040

7 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for changing heavy objects orworkpieces from horizontal to vertical position, or vice versa. Moreparticularly, it relates to apparatus for quickly and safely changingthe position of extremely heavy vertical rolls or roll assemblies asused in conjunction with heavy duty metal rolling mills.

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of means wherebyheavy rolls or roll assemblies may be quickly and safely changed inposition from vertical to horizontal, or vice versa.

This and further objects of the invention will appear more fully as thedescription proceeds.

Rolling mill rolls, whether vertical or horizontal in the mill, arecustomarily worked upon in the refinishing shop in a horizontalposition. Such operations comprise disassembling the rolls from the rollframes or sub-housings, if any, refinishing the rolls, and reassemblingthe rolls in their roll frames or sub-housings. Rolling mill rolls, aswell as assemblies of rolls and roll frames, are also customarily storedin a horizontal position. It is therefore necessary, when replacing thevertical rolls or vertical roll assemblies of a rolling mill, to turnthem to a horizontal position after their removal from the mill, and,upon replacement of such rolls or assemblies with different ones, toturn them from the horizontal to a vertical position. In mills employingrelatively small vertical rolls, especially mills of such design thatthe vertical roll may be lowered directly into place in the housing,such operation has been accomplished by means of cables attached toI-bolts on the top of the vertical roll frame which is removed with theroll, whereby a crane could lift the roll assembly in a straight line bymeans of a cable. The turning of the roll from the vertical to thehorizontal in such cases was eiiected by lowering the roll so that thebottom end thereof rested upon the mill floor, and the top of the rollwas then lowered slowly until the roll lay horizontally. Turning of thereplacement roll and its replacement in themill were accomplished byoperations which were the reverse of those used in removing a roll.

' In the case of mills employing extremely heavy vertical rolls orassemblies of rolls and roll frames, one such assembly having, forexample, a total weight of thirty tons, such an operation becomesextremely hazardous. Further more, in some mills employing verticalrolls the design is such that the vertical roll assembly cannot belowered directly into place but must be lowered to its final level andthen moved horizontally to its proper position in the mill. Such anoperation cannot be carried out properly by the use of cable slings,because of the lack of adequate control of the position of the assemblyand the consequent danger and time involved in the operation.

The present invention greatly facilitates the change of extremely heavyvertical rolls and vertical roll assemblies and especially that portionof the roll changing involving turning of the rolls and roll assembliesfrom the vertical to the horizontal, or vice versa, in the removal fromand replacement in the mill of such rolls and assemblies. Broadly, itprovides a rigid roll-lifting member such as a C-hook or other roll neckengaging means to accomplish moving the vertical roll horizontally fromits operative position and then to lift and transport it, and a novelroll-supporting and tilting means movable from vertical to horizontalposition and vice verse, to accomplish the desired turning of the roll.

The invention will be more fully comprehended by reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view in plan of the layout of that part ofthe mill under considera tion;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the roll tilting means and associated rollstoring pits;

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section taken along line III-III ofFigure 2; and

Figure 4 is a view in vertical cross section through the line IV-IV ofFigure 3.

In Figure l, the rolling mill, shown generally at l, employs horizontalmetal working rolls 2, of which only the upper one is shown, andvertical metal working rolls 3 and 4. It is with the changing ofvertical rolls 3 and 4 that the present invention is concerned. Theroll-tilting device is shown diagrammatically at 5, offset from the linein which metal travels to and from the rolling mill. At the side of thetilting device are two pits 6 and l for the temporary storage of rolls 3and 4, respectively, in vertical position, or of the rolls which replacethem. Lifting devices in the form of cranes are shown schematically at 8and 9, crane 8 being equipped with a counterweighted C-hook IQ forcarrying and manipulating the roll in vertical position to and from theroll tilter,

the storage pits and the mill, and crane 9 being equipped with cableslings for transporting the roll in a horizontal position to and fromthe roll tilter and the roll refinishing position.

The details of the roll-tilting device and the associated roll storagepits are shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4. The roll-tilting device 5 islocated in a pit H, such pit being deep enough to allow swinging of theroll-carrying cradle l2 from a horizontal to a vertical position. Sincethe tilting device and the vertical roll storage pits are in use onlyintermittently, the roll-carrying cradle 12 is positioned far enoughbelow floor level so that pit l i may be covered by removable flooringsections as shown in Figure 4 when the roll cradle i 2 is in horizontalposition. Cradle l2 consists of a suitable reinforced longitudinal frameI3 of generally U-shaped cross section, the inner portion of the cradleframe being provided with vertical side plates H2. and bottom plate I5.The interior of the cradle is made of such size and configuration as toreceive a roll such as roll 3 with its frame it, as shown in Figure 4.The sides and bottom of the housing are provided with member H whichsustain at least a portion of the weight of the assembly and brace itlaterally. A longitudinal opening is provided in the bottom of thecradle for the reception of the projecting member l8 on the rear of theroll frame. The right-hand upper ends of side plates i4 (Figures 29.11613) are provided with overhanging lugs [9 in the plane of plates il, and the left-hand upper ends of side plates M are provided withsimilar lugs 29.

The roll-carrying cradle is supported for tilting movement about an axislocated midway of its length on trunni'ons 2 l and 22, projecting fromthe sides of the cradle. Such vtrunnions rotate in bearings 23 and 24,respectively, locatedupon supports 2 3; and 26 resting upon the sides ofthe pit. Upon the outer end of shaft 22, beyond bearing 24., there iskeyed gear 23, which, in this instance, is a half-pinion. Gear 21 mesheswith rack 28 which is moved horizontally in ways located upon the lowerouter portion of bearing support 26., under the influence of fluidmotors 29 and 30. Motor 3% consists of a cylinder affixed to astationary frame attached to hearing support 26, and has piston 32slidable longitudinally therein. Motor 29 is similar to motor 30, andneed not be described.

Fluid under pressure, such as water, is admitted to motor 3i! to therear of piston 32 through port 33, at the same time that fluid in motor29 is exhausted through port 3 3, by conventional valve means (notshown). Such operation moves rack 28 to the right (Figures 2 and 3,)thereby rotating roll-carrying cradle 42 counterclockwise. Upon reversalof the valve, fluid under pressure is then admitted to motor .29 throughport 34, and the fluid in motor 36 is exhausted through port 33, therebymoving rack 28 to the left and rotating the cradle l2 in a clockwisedirection.

As previously explained, each vertical roll is removed from theparticular rolling mill described assembled in its bearing-carryingframe or subhousing, and it is such assembly which is also replaced inthe mill. Such a roll frame, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, consists of abearing 35 for the lower end of the vertical roll, and an upper bear--ing 36 therefor, together with a rigid longitudinal frame element Itconnecting the upper and lower bearings. The upper portion of saidframe, which is'heavier than the lower portion thereof, is, in theparticular design shown provided with projecting ears 3i which extendpast the main body of the upper bearing 35. .In the roll tilter of thepresent invention, such configuration of the vertical roll frame isutilized to loss the roll with it frame 4 into the roll-tilting cradle,and to insure that it will not fall off the cradle when the latter isturned to a vertical position. This is accomplished by the lugs l9 and28 on the sides of the cradle, such lugs projecting over ears 3'! 0n theupper end of the roll frame when the roll assembly is properlypositioned on the cradle. When the cradle is in a horizontal position,the roll assembly, supported by slings, is lowered on the cradle so thatthe lugs, either [9 or 20, are cleared by cars 31. The assembly of theroll and its frame is then slowly moved horizontally in such directionthat the lugs project over the ears. When the cradle is in a verticalposition, the roll and its frame supported by the C-hook engaging theroll neck, are lowered into the tilter pit and positioned so that theupper portion of the roll frame engages the upper edge of cradle plates14, and the lugs, either l9 Or 20, depending upon the direction of tilt,project over ears 31, thereby insuring that the roll cannot becomedisengaged from the cradle.

The trunnions :21 and 22 on which the cradle '12 tilts as was stated,are located at a midpoint longitudinally of the cradle. They are locatedvertically at a point coinciding with the center of gravity of thecradle, and of the assembly of the .roll and its .frame, when properlypositioned thereon, thereby enabling the cradle to be tilted with theexpenditure of a relatively small amount of power. The areas of thepistons in fluid motors 29 and 39 are made such, relative to thepressure under which the fluid is delivered to them, that they deliverinsufficient power to tilt the cradle 42 from the horizontal in thedesired direction unless the heavier end of the roll frame, which isprovided with the overhanging cars, is slid to bring such ears under thecorresponding lugs and thus to bring the center of gravity of the rolland its frame into coincidence with the center of gravity of the cradle.Such feature insures that the loaded cradle will not be turned from thehorizontal in the desireddirection, unless the roll is correctlypositioned thereon.

Pits 6 and 1,, which are located adjacent the roll tilter, are made ofsuch-depth that rolls vertically positioned therein have their :majorportion below floor level but so that enough of the roll neck projectsto allow easy connection of the C-hook thereto. .As shown in Figure 3,the bottom of each pit is provided with a suitable support such as awooden platf0im38, upon which the roll is held in vertical position bymeans of guides .39, which likewise may be made of wood, and whichengage the roll and its frame at a point somewhat above them'iddlethereof. there by giving 'it stable support. Pits 6 and I are providedwith removable covers (not shown) for covering them when they are not inuse. As shown in Figure 3,, the rolls 3 and 4 and their frames areidentical, but because they are to be placed on opposite sides of themill they are faced oppositely, with the working portions of the rollsfacing each other.

The apparatus of the present invention is employed in changing the twovertical rolls of the rolling mill l in the following manner:

Certain portions of the mill stand, such "as top bracing members, areremoved in order to free the vertical rolls and their ro'l-l frames forremoval. A roll assembly, which is to replace roll 4, is "carried fromstorage in a horizontal position by crane 9 equipped with cable slingsengaging the top and bottom roll necks. Such replacement roll is loweredinto position on cradle 2 5. of the roll tilter, and slowly moved to theleft so that lugs 19 project over ears 31. Hydraulic pressure isthenapplied to motor 30, and fluid is exhausted from motor 29,therebyrotating the,

cradle I2 with the roll assembly thereon counterclockwise. When thecradle has reached a vertical position, crane 8,'equipped with acounterweighted C-hook, engages the roll neck of the roll on the cradle,lifts it vertically from the cradle, and lowers it into pit I in theposition shown in Figure 3; that is, the position it will have in themill. The roll cradle 12 is then turned clockwise to a horizontalposition, by applying fluid pressure to motor 29 and exhausting motor30, to bring the cradle to a horizontal position. Another roll assembly,to replace roll 3, likewise carried from storage in a horizontalposition by crane 9, is lowered upon cradle 12, this time with the largeend of the roll frame carrying ears 3? at the left-hand end of thecradle. The roll is then slid slowly to the right to bring lugs 28 overears 31, and cradle 12 is then operated by the hydraulic motors so thatit turns clockwise and brings the roll assembly into vertical position.The roll is then removed from the cradle by means of the chook carriedby crane 8, and is lowered into pit 6 in the position shown in Figure 3;that is, the position it will occupy in the mill.

R011 3 is then removed from the mill by means of the (i-hook it mountedon crane B which engages the roll neck of the roll, and, in the case ofthe particular mill described, moves the roll assembly horizontally ashort distance and then lifts it free of the mill. The roll assembly isthen carried to the roll tilter by crane 8, and is placed thereon in avertical pos tion, the cradle 12 having remained in its verticalclockwise position. The roll cradle is then turned so that it ishorizontal, and the used roll assembly then is removed in the horizontalposition by crane 9 equipped with cable slings. Roll 4 is removed in thesame manner, with the exception that the roll cradle I2 is turned to itsvertical counterclockwise position when roll 4 is placed thereon bycrane ,8. The new replacement rolls in pits G and are then installed inthe mills by means of crane 8 carrying the c-hook, which lifts andplaces the rolls by engagement with the roll necks.

It is to be understood that only one crane or lifting means need be usedif the C-hook is replaced by the cable slings, and vice versa, whenevereach is needed. It is preferred, however, to employ the two cranesasabove described, since this allows the changing of the rolls to beaccomplished in a much shorter time. It is also, to be understood thatwhere the term roll or rolls broadly is used in the appended claims theassembly or assemblies of rolls and roll frames as well as the rolls perse are meant to be included in such term.

Whereas the roll tilting apparatus has been particularly described inconnection with the changing of assemblies of rolls and their rollframes or sub-housings, the apparatus can, with slight modifications, beemployed in the changing of rolls per se. All that is necessary, in suchcase, is the provision of a support on the roll tilting device ofsuitable configuration for the stable support of the roll thereon whenthe device is positioned horizontally and means, such as ends on thetilting device or fork-like membBIs engaging the ends of the enlargedroll portion, together with means such as quickly engageable anddisengageable clamps for holding the roll securely thereon when thecradle is turned to position the roll vertically. r

The changing of extremely heavy rolls or as semblies of rolls and rollframes by employment of the apparatus and method of the presentinvention may be done rapidly and economically, since only a smallnumber of pieces of equipment are required for the roll change and sincethe position of the rolls is under control at all times. The use of suchapparatus is safe, since nothing is left to chance, and since the rolltilt-. ingmecham'sm cannot be operated to turn the roll in the desireddirection until the roll assembly has been properly placed upon andlocked to the cradle. Because such apparatus reduces the time necessaryto effect roll changes to approximately one-third that required by priorart roll changing apparatus and methods, the time in which themill liesidle during such change is materially reduced, and production on themill is correspondingly increased.

Whereas particular devices have been shown in illustrating a preferredembodiment of the apparatus, it is to be understood that numerousvariations are possible within the scope of the invention. What I desireto claim as new, therefore, is defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device for turning heavy rolling mill rolls from the vertical tothe horizontal or vice versa, comprising a heavy longitudinal frame,trunnions on which said frame is supported for pivotal movement, saidtrunnions being located on a horizontal line transverse of the frame andmidway of the longitudinal axis of the frame, means for rotating theframe on the trunnions from a horizontal position to a vertical positionboth clockwise and counterclockwise, means for supporting a roll on theframe in horizontal position, and means engaging the roll for supportingit stably when the frame is turned from a horizontal to a verticalposition.

2. Apparatus for turning a heavy rolling mill roll from the horizontalto the vertical or vice versa which comprises a longitudinal frame,trunnions supporting said frame for pivotal movement about a horizontalaxis extending transversely of the frame, said pivotal axis beinglocated substantially at the longitudinal center of the frame, means forrotating the frame from the horizontal to the vertical position bothclockwise and counterclockwise, said last named means comprising apinion secured to and coaxial with one of the trunnions, a gear meshingwith the pinion so constructed and arranged relative to the pinion as todrive the pinion in reverse directions when such gear is selectivelymoved in opposite directionsand power means for driving such gearmeshing with the pinion selectively in opposite directions, means: forsupporting a roll on the frame in horizontal position, and meanscooperating with the roll to insure its stable support on the frame whenthe latter is turned to a vertical position.

3. Apparatus for turning a heavy rolling mill roll from the horizontalto the vertical or vice versa which comprises a longitudinal frame,trunnions supporting said frame for pivotal movement about a horizontalaxis extending transversely of the frame, said pivotal axis beinglocated substantially at the longitudinal center of the frame, means forrotating the frame from the horizontal to the vertical position bothclockwise and counterclockwise, said last namedmeans answers 7comprising apinion secured to and coaxial with one "of the trunnions, areciprocable :rack 'meshing with-the ipinion, and.means forreciprocating the rack, the rack and pinion being :so related that .thepinion lies .at substantially the mid-point of the "rack when the frameis horizontal, :means for supporting a roll on the frame in horizontalposition, means engaging and positioning the :roll on .the frame so thatthe pivotal axis of the frame passes through the centerof gravity of theframe and the roll, and means cooperating with the roll to insure itsstable support on the frame when the latteris turned to :a verticalposition.

4. .A device for turning a vertical roll assembly consisting of a rolland a .roll frame therefor from a vertical to a horizontal 'positionandvice versa, said roll frame having laterally projecting ears on at leastone end thereof, comprising a longitudinal roll assembly receiving andsupporting frame, means on said frame holding the roll assembly stablywhen in horizontal :position, means for tilting the frame from thehorizontal to the vertical in either direction or vice versa, uprightson both sides of one-end of the frame receiving the roll assemblybetween them, said uprights being so spaced from each other that theears on the roll frame project past them, whereby'the roll assembly issupported on the uprights when the frame and roll assemblythereon areturned to a vertical position in 'such-direction as to raise the end ofthe roll frame which is provided with ears.

'5. A device for turning a vertical roll'assembly consisting of a rolland aroll frame therefor from :a vertical to a horizontal position andvice versa, said roll frame having laterallyprojecting ears on at leastone end thereof, comprising .a longitudinal roll assembly receiving andsupporting frame, means on said frame holding the'roll assembly stablywhen in horizontal position, means for tilting the supporting framefromrthe horizontal to the vertical in either direction or vice versa,uprights on both sidesef one end of the frame receiving the rollassembly between them, said uprights being so spaced from each othenthatthe :ears on-the roll frame-project .past them, whereby the rollassembly is supported on the uprights when the frame and roll assemblythereon are turned to a vertical position in such-direction as .to raisethe end'of theroll frame which is provided with ears, and slugs on theouter side of said uprights projecting -ov.er the ears on the rollframe, said lugs preventing disengagement, except in a verticaldirection,

of the roll assembly from the supporting frame when the latter is invertical positionwith the ear carrying endof the roll frame uppermost.

6. A deviceforturning a vertical roll-assembly consisting of a roll anda roll frame attached thereto from a horizontal to a vertical positionclockwise or counterclockwiseor vice versa, said roll frame beingprovided withlaterally projecting ears on one end thereof, whichvcomprisesra longitudinal roll receiving and supporting frame, means forsupporting said frame .for pivotal movement about :an axis at rightangles to' rthe longitudinal .axis :of the frame, and means for tilting:said frame :from 2a :horizontal to ;a vertical position, :said frame:?being :provided 'with ivertical side members between which the "rollassembly is received, :said side members being so spaced that the'ears"01111118 .roll frame project'past the ends thereof, and Llugs :on theouter-corners {0f the supporting frame sides extending parallel to thelongitudinal axis @of the supporting frame forpreventing disengagement,exceptina vertical idirection o'fithe ,roll assembly from {the framewhen :in 'vertical position and when supported by engagement of the ears.with the ends iofithe frame sides.

57. A device for turning a verticalroll assembly consisting of a rolland a,:roll; frame attached thereto from -.a horizontal to averticalposition clockwise or counterclockwise or vice versa, :said rollframe beingprovidediwith "laterally projecting ea-rs on one end thereof,which comprises :a longitudinal roll receiving and-supporting frame,means for supporting said frame for (pivotal movement I about an "axisat :right angles :to the longitudinalcaxis ofthe iframe, means fortilting said frame from :a horizontal to a vertical :po-

sition, said supporting frame :being provided with-opposite verticalside imembers'sospaced that the ears on the roll frame project-past'theends thereof, and rings :on the outer corners of the supporting framesides extending parallel "to the-longitudinal. axis of the-frame forpreventing disengagement, except in a vertical direction-10f the trollassembly from the frame when :in vertical position and when supported byengagementofthe-ears on the:roll frame with :theends .of the supportingframe sides, the ends :of the sides of the supporting frame-enga ed :bythe .ears on the roll iframe being so located relative tDrth-B pivotal-.-axis .of the frame .andthe dimensions of the roll zassembly' adapted"to 'be "turned therebythat when the ears are placed'iin abut- .mentwith the :ends of such sides, the center o'f gravity of --the trollrassembly substantially i!!- cides with-the pivotal axis of theiframe.

*RAYMOND A. BURKE-ART.

-REFERENCES LCITEB 'The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 'Numh er Name Date 3851058 Jones June "26, 18881,543,649 Bode June '23, 1925 1,558,614 Hooker Oct.-27, 1925 1,618,700Dragon Feb. 22, "1927 2,010,820 Larson Aug. 13;1935 "2",0'49j842 'KlingAug. 14,1936 2,396;6I4 Somes Mar, 12, 1-946 FOREIGN PATENTS NumberCcuntry Date 347L Germany Feb. .8, .1929

